According to the newspaper, the team asked the 31-year-old Warren, who missed the 2010 and 2011 seasons because of injuries, to shrink his base salary for 2012 from $4 million to between $1 million and $1.5 million. The newspaper reported that Warren has yet to participate in the team's voluntary offseason workouts.

Broncos lineman Kevin Vickerson, a 29-year-old five-year veteran, agreed to a similar reduction, the newspaper reported, citing a contract filed with the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Vickerson, who had been set to make $2.25 million in 2012, will now earn $1.2 million.

Warren landed a two-year, $8 million deal from the Broncos as a free agent before the 2011 season, but was placed on injured reserve after having surgery to repair a torn right triceps suffered in training camp.

Warren signed with the Broncos after spending eight seasons with the New England Patriots. An injured hip knocked him out for the entirety of the 2010 season, his last in New England. He has 373 career tackles and 20.5 sacks.

The Broncos selected defensive tackle Derek Wolfe with the 36th-overall pick in the draft and signed veteran defensive tackle Justin Bannan in April.